S.G. asks from Manhattan, KS on August 12, 2010
Kindergarten Backpack - Crocodile Creek
Has anyone used the crocodile creek backpack for their Kindergartener? If so what are the pros and cons. They seem to have only one size 11.5x14 ,was this large enough? Also any other other recommendations for a sturdy backpack that could possibly last 2 years.
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So What Happened?™
Thank you all for your suggestions, between Mamapedia and some other websites I narrowed down my choices to LL Bean and Landsend. I went with Landsend small haul b/c my son like their colours better and b/c the bag has the side mesh for water bottles (this will be handy when we use the backpack for mini hikes).
I must say I am not 100% sure about how strong it is. It seems light and 'flimsy' though it otherwise looks well constructed. It's a good size (spacious but not bulky) that he will grow into. Also, the straps are soft on the shoulders.
If this doesn't work out, then in the future I will go with LL Bean.
By the way my son thought that the crocodile creek looked like baby backpacks. Imagine that!
Featured Answers
C.J. answers from Dallas on August 12, 2010
FYI: w Haute Look has Crockodile creek backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. on sale for 75% off!! I just bought my 7 yo and 3 yo lunch boxes yesterday SO CUTE! Can't wait to get them.
EDIT: They were up to 55% off, not 75. . . my bad, but still super cute!
2 moms found this helpful
More Answers
C.J. answers from Dallas on August 12, 2010
FYI: w Haute Look has Crockodile creek backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. on sale for 75% off!! I just bought my 7 yo and 3 yo lunch boxes yesterday SO CUTE! Can't wait to get them.
EDIT: They were up to 55% off, not 75. . . my bad, but still super cute!
2 moms found this helpful
S.F. answers from Boston on August 13, 2010
Hi,
I was looking at those for my Kindergarterner but they didn't seem big enough. We're going with Land's End this year. They have great sizes and even have a featherweight style for the little ones. I also confirmed that their back packs are lead, PVC and BPA free.
Good luck!
1 mom found this helpful
C. answers from Hartford on August 13, 2010
When my son started preschool, I bought him a really nice preschooler backpack (it measured 11.5 x14). He used it for the two years of preschool and we started kindergarten with it, but we had to get a larger one to finish the year. He would bring home so much stuff, plus the lunch, snacks, extra sweaters, etc. that he would have trouble packing up in the afternoon. We found a quick Lands End replacement at Sears. For the price, it was a good backpack. Since then, we have gotten both a pottery barn and LL Bean backpack. I like both of them and they have withstood a lot of wear and tear. If you have either store near you, I would recommend having your son try them on and try opening and closing the zippers. More than a fashion accessory, it needs to function and hold up to every day use. If you spend more now, it will be a backpack your child can use for many years.
Good luck,
C.
1 mom found this helpful
C.B. answers from Boston on August 12, 2010
My 13 year old has had her LLBean Original Book Bag for 3+ years and it shows no wear. My 10 year old has an LLBean Critter Pack and it also looks like new (I wash them at the end of each school year and occasionally in between, then air dry). We also have the LLBean lunch boxes and those also get thrown in the washing machine at times when they are too sticky to wipe with a cloth. Like another poster, we will never buy anything else but LLBean backpacks. Others at Target and Walmart are cheaper ($15-$20 versus $40+) but those only last one year, if that. But when they were smaller we used to go find the character backpacks they liked (mostly Disney Princesses) and then simply get a new one the next school year.
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D.B. answers from Boston on August 13, 2010
We have used LL Bean for years and usually get 3+ years out of them - the thing that goes first is usually the zipper, but that's when the kids are older and are shoving heavy textbooks into them. We have a zipper place that replaces just that part sometimes - depends on the seams and how they are constructed. I've actually never done it for the backpack but I have for jackets. Kindergartners don't usually bring a lot of stuff home - just papers and notices usually. You mostly want to put the lunch box in there and then they're always putting hats and gloves in when they don't wear them. The books start a few grades later. The best thing you can do is go to the bus stop or the school drop-off area and see what everyone else is using and how full they are. At our bus stop, the little kids have extremely lightweight backpacks because nothing's in them! By the way, the schools may say "no wheels" because they don't fit in cubbies or lockers. And younger kids drag them upside down and sideways, and they get beat up anyway.
1 mom found this helpful
T.J. answers from Seattle on August 12, 2010
Our kindergarten supply list said a "large, non-wheeled" backpack. After checking, it appears large is 16-17inches. We got a pottery barn kids one, as they are very durable. We looked at ll bean, because I heard how good they are, and I also heard they have a guarantee. But my daughter didn't like any of the colors/prints.
M.3. answers from Providence on August 13, 2010
I have never used a Crocodile Creek backpack, so I can't comment on or recommend it. However, I do have a recommendation, the Lands End ClassMate Smallhaul (for ages 5-8) it's 11x16 in size. My daughter had her Lands End bag from kindergarten thru 2nd grade (at which time she needed a bigger bag for school) but she was still able to use it @ home for 2 more years (for sleepovers & such). Good Luck!
H.S. answers from Johnson City on August 12, 2010
I have never used a crocodile creek backpack, but I can recommend Skip Hop backpacks. They are adorable and durable. Plus, they come with a matching lunch box, so cute! Here's the link
http://www.skiphop.com/product/21020.html
Best of luck!
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